String lights hanging in an alley way during a festival in downtown Flint.

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Ready to Live Your Best Life? You Can in Michigan

MEDC partners with regional organizations throughout the state to provide you with a real view of what it’s like to live and work in different communities throughout the state. These groups may be part of the local chamber of commerce, economic development team, young professional group or from a Back 2 Michigan organization.

These partners can best connect you to local information on housing, education opportunities, recreation, and community groups where you (and your family) can find “your people” and “your place.” Whether you are interested in living and working in a downtown urban location, want a more suburban option, crave wide open spaces, or just want easy access to fresh water coastline, Michigan provides it all.

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Ann Arbor

Mike Price Chief Sales and Operations Officer Destination Ann Arbor Linkedin

Phil Santer Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Ann Arbor SPARK Linkedin

Q&A

What advice do you have for people who are interested in making a move to the Ann Arbor region? I think you should be as intentional as possible in building your community. Meetups are prolific in places like Ann Arbor, on a huge range of interests. Find a topic that interests you and show up at least four times. By the time you’re done, you will likely have already developed deep roots here.

In your opinion, what is special about living in a four-season state? As I get older, it’s hard not to be a *bit* existential about seasons in Michigan. Experiencing all the seasons makes you appreciate each of the others in deep ways. And the changing of seasons almost requires a bit of reflection about how things have changed and grown, and what opportunities are coming up. Having that reflection time built into the year isn’t something often discussed but I’ve come to rely on it throughout my year.

Bill Mayer Senior Vice President, Entrepreneurial Services Ann Arbor SPARK Linkedin

What’s Up in Michigan?

Stay up to date with the latest news from Michigan.

News

Meet the Mid-Michigan & Great Lakes Bay Region

For many, the Mid-Michigan and Great Lakes Bay Region is the Goldilocks of Michigan. Not too small, not too big — just right. Anchored by major towns like Midland, Bay City, Mount Pleasant and Saginaw, this central region offers classic city amenities, but won’t overwhelm you with hustle and bustle. It also borders Lake Huron, […]

Meet the Thumb Region: Affordable Coastal Living

Michigan’s Thumb Region offers big opportunities in a relaxed, small-town setting. It’s a place where professional ambition blends with a strong sense of community and an easygoing lifestyle. Whether you’re growing a career in healthcare, forging a path in advanced manufacturing or putting down roots near the Lake Huron coast, you’ll find space to build […]

Flint, MI Named the Most Affordable for Home Buyers—and It Has the Lowest Cost of Living Index in the U.S.

The cost of homes in the U.S. is skyrocketing. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median sales price went from $313,000 at the beginning of 2019 to $416,900 at the beginning of 2025. And, as WalletHub noted, that doesn’t account for the rise in mortgage rates, with the average […]